Monday, March 17, 2008

Lunch at Decatur and Gov. Nicholls

Cloudy but warm today. Very relaxed here. I definitely needed a change of pace!

Last night we went to Snug Harbor, the Spotted Cat and more bars on Frenchmen Street. Great music and beer and everyone out having a great time. Sad to go home tomorrow.
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Saturday, March 15, 2008

New Orleans

Haven't been back since pre-Katrina. City seems the same but of course we've only hit the French Quarter.

In the first hour I met Ray Nagin and talked to him about the city. He faid the first time they got money from the feds was November 2007. He also said he was with Bill Clinton this morning and Bill wasn't overly confident for Hillary.

Tonight, dinner at Nola and some time at the casino.


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Saturday, March 08, 2008


American Airlines Sucks!



I had a 12 hour delay for my flight to Buenos Aires on my departure to South America... if you can believe it. It was so poorly handled - they apparently can't even see such delays in their system - that I didn't even have a confirmation of my departure when I arrived at the airport.

Check this out... my flight is delayed 12 hours departing Santiago back to the USA! What?! I am in disbelief... who has two 12 hour (overnight) delays in the same trip?! They (AA) can't get me on an earlier flight because I'd have to sit in Miami for 7 hours before I can get on a connection... I also heard that Condoleeza Rice was to meet the President here in Chile tomorrow and it was canceled because her staff's AA flights couldn't get to Chile!!

American sucks. One 12 hour delay is one thing, two is just unbelieveable. I lost my whole weekend and am so disappointed I can't spend at least part of the weekend with Andy and my puppies. I am very, very sad.

DON'T FLY AMERICAN AIRLINES TO SOUTH AMERICA OR RUE THE DAY YOU CHOSE IT.

Santiago

Beautiful morning after a rainy night. The mountains are full of snow if you can see... Home tomorrow!


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Sunday, March 02, 2008

Siésta en Mendoza

It is 3.30pm and check it out! This is such a quiet little town. In a few hours it will reopen; for now I think I will go down to the pool and work some until the city livens up...
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Boarding flight to Mendoza

Wow it is ontime so far with no checkin drama!

Check out how close the airport is to the city!

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Buenos Aires

Three days in Buenos Aires... what to do?

Well, I had to work so it hasn't been quite as easy as vacation. I found the first day to be tough due to the time change (4 hrs ahead of Chicago) and my flight was delayed by 12 hours. AA was just a nightmare to deal with and their customer service was rude. But at least I slept in my own bed before I left.

We had major rain on Thursday - check out the article in the Buenos Aires Herald: http://www.buenosairesherald.com/argentina/note.jsp?idContent=472500

but in Recoleta it was just wet with no flooding.

Saturday I woke up late, went shopping and then roamed around the city. Strangely I tried to exchange cash (Dollars to Pesos) -> just a little bit. But the hotel wouldn't cash it and they directed me to a place that then required my passport to exchange US$50 to A$. Sorry, but I don't carry my passport with me. I gave up and went to the Citibank on the corner. It's my bank but Citi has pretty hefty exchange fees that show up on my monthly statement. While safer than carrying cash it is more expensive. I tried to be smart and take cash this time but now I can't cash it without my passport!! Strange.

Today I am flying Aerolineas Argentinas which is a truly terrible airline. I am going to do a web checkin to hopefully speed the process at the airport. I just hope it isn't too delayed. Off to Mendoza where the weather should be much better, dry and hot like California. Today I'll just relax on the plaza and prepare for tomorrow's meetings.

Mi espanol is muy mejor que mi visito pasado. Quando hablo con la ama de casa es en espanol en total!


The Aerolineas Argentinas line at Ezeiza Airport last year. This was during the terrible weather and then subsequent flight. This year weather is better and no strike... please Lord don't let me be on this!

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